But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
(Matthew 6:33 NIV)
Living life as a Christian is an interesting mix. We are rooted to the past, living in the present, and growing toward the future – and God is in all of it. Many of us grew up saying “The Lord’s Prayer” (an adaptation of Matthew 6) in our church services, at home, or by ourselves. The familiarity of this text is comforting:
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
(Matthew 6:9–13 KJV)
Some of us stumble over words like “hallowed,” “thy,” and “thine” because everyday English has evolved far beyond the language of the King James Version. Recently, while reading the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) in The Passion Translation, I came across this rendering of the Lord’s Prayer:
Our Beloved Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms, may the glory of your name be the center on which our lives turn. Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is fulfilled in heaven. We acknowledge you as our Provider of all we need each day. Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Rescue us every time we face tribulation and set us free from evil. For you are the King who rules with power and glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 TPT)
I am not suggesting one version is better than another, but would you join with me in praying this newer prayer? May these modern words tie us back to the ancient ideas Jesus taught, even while challenging us to live and pray according to Jesus’s teachings.
Our Beloved Father.… You are the One True God, the I AM, the Name above every Name who dwells in a space we can’t yet access. You are righteous, holy, perfect in all your ways, and love. Thank you for being our Father God.
May the glory of your name be the center on which our lives turn. Holy Spirit, help our bodies, minds, hearts, and especially our spirits be in continual and total alignment with the perfect will of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, just as it is fulfilled in heaven. God, we know that your ways, thoughts, purposes, and plans are higher than ours, but we pray that, as much as we can, we would see and understand the places where your Kingdom is here. May the eyes of our hearts be enlightened to your every purpose, and may we see your purposes fulfilled in the earth, even as we know they are fulfilled in heaven.
We acknowledge you as our Provider of all we need each day. Jehovah Jireh, you are our Good God who knows and meets our every need – even the flowers and birds are not cared for as well as you care for those who seek and serve you. Help us to have soft hearts to recognize your gracious faithful provision.
Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.
God, it can be difficult to release others through the process of forgiveness. Help us to be willing to forgive and to allow you to do that process within us so that we can be freed. Forgive us, even as we forgive others who have sinned against us.
Rescue us every time we face tribulation and set us free from evil. Lord, you who were once on the earth know the reality of the tribulations, frustrations, and attacks we face. We know we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. We pray that you will protect us, and give us strength and stamina for the battles we face.
For you are the King who rules with power and glory forever. You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, praise, and adoration. Your power and dominion, glory and might are far beyond our natural sight. So, again, we praise and honor you with our whole hearts, minds souls, and strength. May you receive the glory you are due, we pray in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:12-13 NKJV)